Duties and responsibilities:
Clinical Supervision and Support
● Provide clinical therapy to a caseload of 10-12 program youth that are identified as needing mental health support or services. Clinical intervention includes assessment, long-term therapy, short-term or brief therapy, and/or possible linkage to additional mental health services as determined via clinical assessment and treatment plan.
● Develop and implement trauma-informed crisis intervention, as well as emergency (crisis) support and coaching, as needed.
● Conducts trauma-informed biopsychosocial mental health assessments.
● Work closely with the Director of Clinical Support to manage and ensure the provision of high-quality parenting instruction, substance abuse counseling, and mental health therapy to community residents.
● On-call support to respond over the phone and/or in person to housing program crises as needed.
● Participate in community and collaborative meetings.
● Guide and support Housing staff in navigating crises and other challenging situations with program participants that require clinical insight and/or intervention.
● Be on-call to respond over the phone and/or in person to housing program crises as needed.
● In partnership with the Director of Clinical Support work collaboratively with staff to ensure that client documentation is appropriate, accurate and submitted within the established timeframe.
Leadership
● Collaborate with Director of Clinical Support to implement the organization’s clinical approach based upon best practices for supporting youth who have experienced foster care and homelessness (such as trauma-informed care, housing first, motivational interviewing).
● Understand the organization’s clinical requirements and approach and ensure alignment of services with them.
● Maintain and uphold ethical practices especially as it pertains to confidentiality concerns.
● In partnership with the Director of Clinical Support, coordinate internal and external training opportunities to ensure consistency with clinical and therapeutic best practices.
Program Support
● Build empowering relationships with and provide direct support to youth as needed.
● Working in partnership with program staff, develop and co-facilitate therapeutic and social-emotional groups for youth as needed.
● Build relationships with community partners to expand resource referral sources that address the mental health needs of program participants.
Other
● Perform additional projects as assigned.
General Responsibilities
● Act as a role model within the organization to uphold and implement United Friends’ organizational values:
○ Build effective and empowering relationships with the youth, community and each other.
○ Embrace program evaluation that leads to excellence and impact.
○ Create a fun and exciting environment that inspires learning and innovation.
○ Communicate openly, honestly and with humility across all groups.
○ Work together as one organization
Required Qualifications:
● LCSW or LMFT preferred or must have 2+ years’ experience working with clients who suffer from trauma, substance abuse, mental health problems and or those experiencing homelessness and maintains BBS registered associate/intern status ( CSW/MFTA) or licensed eligible within one year of accepting the position
● Ability to work effectively as a member and leader of a multi-disciplinary service team.
● An understanding of and sensitivity to issues concerning former foster care youth from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds
● Demonstrated success implementing the Housing First model and strengths-based approaches with homeless youth.
● Excellent knowledge of substance use treatment strategies, mental health issues, and trauma-informed care
● Strong commitment and adherence to a clinical professional Code of Ethics, especially confidentiality requirements
● Strong leadership, problem-solving, and crisis intervention skills
● Effective communication and conflict resolution skills
● Available to be on-call for staff consultation during crisis events.
● Regular travel to United Friends’ housing locations, events, and community meetings within L.A. County
● Passionate about United Friends’ mission
Preferred Qualifications:
● Experience working in a non-profit organization with the TAY population.
● Strong professional boundaries, communication & interpersonal skills
● Strong analytical skills
● Flexible, amiable, & willing to work as a team player.
● Excellent organizational skills
